National Women’s Day Message

 

“O Mankind! Be conscious of your Sustainer, Who created you out of one living entity, and out of it created its mate and from this pair scattered countless men and women. And remain conscious of Allah in whose name you demand (your rights) from one another…” (4:1)

 

Women in Islam are almost always portrayed as uneducated, pregnant, subservient wives who silently endure abuse at the hands of their oppressive husbands. They are generally depicted as beings with ‘veiled character’ who have no independent identity or personality. Their contributions beyond household chores are hardly ever recognized or acknowledged.

 

Women in Islam have made a considerably contribution to the rich heritage of Islam. Khadija radhiyallahu anha, the wife of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam was the world’s first Muslimah, and first follower of Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Her fortitude, her resilience, her financial and emotional support served as the most critical contribution to Islam making her the ‘mother of believers.’ Her conduct as an ideal wife, mother, and companion makes her one of the most revered personalities in the annals of Islamic history.

 

Likewise Aisha radhiyallahu anha and Umm Salama radhiyallahu anha became renowned transmitters of hadeeth after the demise of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam. Hisham Ibn Urwa radhiyallahu anha quotes his father as saying: “I have not seen any one who was more knowledgeable in theology, medicine and in poetry than Aisha radhiyallahu anha.” Abu Musa radhiyallahu anhu reports that every time we were confronted with a hadith that we could not understand, we would refer it to Aisha radhiyallahu anha who (always) had information about it.” (Tirmidhi) The wives of Nabi sallallahu alayhi wasallam on account of their close proximity to him became particularly important figures in the development of Islamic jurisprudence after his demise.

 

Women also played a pivotal role as spiritual luminaries in what is known as Sufism today. One of the most important founders of Sufi thought was Rabi’a al-’Adawiyya from Basra. She is largely recognized as the first person to express the now-standard Sufi belief in ‘divine love’. Her poems, dedicated to a mystical union with Allah and her saintly personality has made her one of the most revered Sufis in Islamic history. Nafissa bint al-Hassan ibn Zaid, a student of Imam Malik, lectured in Egypt. Her lectures were attended by the most prominent scholars of her time, including the renowned scholar, Imam Shafi’i RA.

 

• The contribution of women was not confined to the field of Islamic sciences only.

 

• In the beginning of the ninth century, Alia, daughter of the great scholar Tayeb bin Kiran, taught logic in Andalus Mosque in Fez (Morocco).

 

• Fatimah al-Fihria built al-Qarawyeen Mosque in Fez. The mosque became the first Islamic university in the world.

 

• The royal Ayyubid women in Egypt used their wealth and position to establish waqf for schools, hospitals, and other charitable institutions.

 

• In South Africa the land for the first masjid known as Awwal Masjid in Cape Town was donated by a Muslim woman known as Saartjie van de Kaap who was born to slave parents.

 

It will however be a great injustice to measure the contribution of women solely in terms of their contributions outside the confines of their home. If we consider home as the starting unit of society, the architects of good homes are women; thus women are indispensable role players in moulding and developing their societies. It’s easy to overlook the important role they play as wives and as mothers. A mother provides love, encouragement, hope, counsel, discipline, and understanding. She serves as the light of the home offering unending selflessness. In the same vein a wife serves as the foundation of tranquility and peace, as so aptly mentioned in the Quran:

 

“Among His signs is that He has created for you mates from among yourselves, that you may dwell in tranquility with them, and He has put love and mercy between your (hearts). Verily in that are Signs for those who reflect.” (30:21)

 

Their can be no peace or tranquility, no sense of fulfillment without the love and mercy that women infuse into our homes and lives. Nabi Sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said: “This world is but a passing delight; and the best of passing delights of this world is a pious and virtuous woman.” (Muslim)

 

Islam brought about a social revolution regarding the dignity, treatment and rights of women. Women rediscovered themselves and were no longer used as dispensable doormats. Are we living up to the teachings of Islam? Are we perhaps not contributing to the stereotypes by confusing religion with culture? Culture sways between two extremes, it either regards a woman as a necessary evil in which case she is more aptly called “WOE” MAN (a curse unto man) or as a sex object in which case she is referred to as “WOO” MAN (one who entices man.) We need to regard her for what she is: “WHO (made) MAN!